Defendant Prosecuted Under Federal “Worst of the Worst” Anti-Violence Initiative

ALBUQUERQUE – Jason M. Lutz, 39, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Lutz will be sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Lutz, whose prior criminal history includes convictions for conspiracy to commit kidnapping, distribution of methamphetamine and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, is being prosecuted under a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

Lutz was arrested in Oct. 2015, on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition on July 31, 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M. At the time, Lutz was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.

During today’s proceedings, Lutz pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that possessing two firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition on July 31, 2014, despite his status as a convicted felon. Lutz remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the New Mexico State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe.